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Toyota Truck Owners: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

598 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2006 at 10:22 PM

You are in the Toyota Tundra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Auto Body, Engine, Steering, Suspension, Transmission, Truck

Messages Page 14 of 60

#128 of 598 Serpentine Belt going by kartman0

Dec 31, 2003 (11:42 am)

Well, my 2001 Toyota Tundra Access SR5 V8 2WD is having some cold-weather problems. From last Winter, the squaeking dash problem has been fixed, but the newest cold-weather related problem is a loud squealing noise coming from the engine compartment.
 
I have had this truck for 28-months and in that time put 40,134-miles on it, of which 95% are highway. Its my daily driver and I hardly use this vehicle as a pickup (telephone desk jockey). Yet, I am being told that as belts get old the dry, get hard, and are prone to slippage.
 
Well, I don't live in a dry climate zone (Georgia) and I would not think this should occur after 28-months. The dealership (Toyota Mall of Georgia) service writer (Matt Askins) informed me on Saturday that his technician said this is typical and expected, especially on this engine.
 
Yesterday, that dealership's service manager (Robert Acuff) said they 'dressed' the belts to stop the squealing, and when I picked it up it was about 54ºF. The problem reared its ugly head (and continues to) in temperatures in the 34-36ºF range. When i picked up the truck the belts were not making noise.
 
When I left work last night (1AM this morning) the belt(s) squealed like I had gotten a cat (or two) in the engine compartment. I let the engine warm up before making the drive home. No dice. The squealing stayed quite loud and I drove 35-miles home in 34-36ºF weather at below the speed limit (all interstate travel in Atlanta).
 
When I got home I woke the wife before even pulling into the driveway because the noise was easily heard. So, I took the vehicle back to the dealership (squealing) and was informed that the serpentine is probably the problem. I was also informed that this belt IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY.
 
Nice. So, I am looking at a good and healthy repair bill for a vehicle I've tried my best to take care of, always let the dealership do all of the accelerated srvice, use synthetic oils, etc., etc., etc. but this 28-month old truck will cost me several hundred dollars to repair unless there is some sort of good-will warranty that is available and employed at the descretion of the service manager.
 
I already told them that I do not trust the belts, that I considered them haven failed prematurely, etc., and would not entertain driving the vehicle with the current belts in-place. I've offered on two occassions to let them take their time with the vehicle (I carpool some of the time) to resolve the problem.
 
I suppose if I have to fork up the money to replace the belts (serpentine and all), I'll get rid of the vehicle and buy a non-Toyota product. I cannot believe this is how I am spending the holidays (problem started just before Xmas).

#129 of 598 fanbelts wear out by oregonboy

Jan 07, 2004 (9:48 am)

I doubt that any manufacturer would cover a fanbelt replacement at 40k miles. They are a wear-related, maintenance item like brake pads, tires, and wiper blades.
 
You might check your owner's manual to see if it lists a recommended replacement interval for the accessory drive belts. They may just list inspection intervals and "replace as required".

#130 of 598 2003 Tundra Engine Noise by nealk

Jan 21, 2004 (9:20 am)

I have a 2003 V 8 Tundra with 10,000 miles and experiencing the same Engine Noise on cold starts. I spoke to a Sequoia owner with the same problem. I guess it has to do with the lifters and oil viscosity on cold days. Although I am using the manufacturer’s oil recommendation, I am going to switch to synthetic and see if it fixes the problem. I bought a Toyota for the reliability and craftsmanship and I am disappointed.

#131 of 598 2003 Tundra Brake Pumping by nealk

Jan 21, 2004 (9:29 am)

I have a 2003 V 8 Tundra with 10,000 and I am able to brake with the first step on the brakes, but the pedal travel is too long. On the second pump it is fine. Does anybody have the same problem? Could be air in the system or the self-adjusting mechanism be malfunctioning?

#132 of 598 Brake fade/pumping by edgex

Jan 23, 2004 (8:09 am)

NealK, I have a 04 Tundra DC and have spoken to the dealer about the brake fade I think you are referring to. My initial pressure on the pedal seems to feel weak. However if I apply two pushes the brakes firm up. I test drove 4 other Tundras, 2 DCs, one access cab, and a V6. All except the V6 felt the same. I posted over at Tundra solutions about the problem and was told that due the rear drum step up, sometimes the rear brakes don't seat properly or need to be adjusted. Others reported bleeding the brakes as well. But getting the dealer to do it will take patience. The test drove mine and thought it was fine. "It's alot of truck to stop", were the svc mgr and salesguy words. Well, I'm sorry, I had 2002 Explorer that stopped on a dime. I don't buy it. Don't know if this helps at all.

#133 of 598 Looking for some info by puckyhuddle

Jan 27, 2004 (3:09 pm)

Is there a difference in the street ride of a Tundra w/ the TRD off road option and the ride of one without? I would assume an "off-road tuned suspension" would translate into a rougher street ride. My not so knowledgeable dealer said I would not notice a difference between a double cab with TRD and without. I test drove a DC last weekend with TRD and wondered if the ride would be smoother without. Thanks in advance!

#134 of 598 Out of state by 3toyboy

Jan 28, 2004 (3:18 pm)

Anyone know in general if Toyotas (or specifically the Tundra) are 50 state compliant?
 
Part 2: any challenges buying in Nevada/Arizona, and registering in California?
 
Post #9325 in the 4Runner board got me thinking, and NV/AZ have better incentives at the moment.

#135 of 598 edgex by jimbob7216

Jan 28, 2004 (11:50 pm)

What do you mean by "rear drum step up"?
 
Thanks,
 
Jim

#136 of 598 re: tundra smoke at startup by hallrd

Jan 29, 2004 (6:58 am)

experienced this recently with my 2003 v-8 2wd w/18,000 miles. made a 13 hr road trip to Fla., parked truck for 3 days. when started next, excessive valve train noise for about a second on starting and belched a large cloud of blue smoke. also had to add a quart of oil between changes. after owning 2 toyota trucks w/bulletproof 4 cyl engines, very disappointed with tundra v-8.

#137 of 598 Belts by paul_p

Jan 29, 2004 (5:51 pm)

On my 1993 Toyota 2wd pickup the belts last approximately 100,000 miles. At that point, even though far from worn out, I replace them on general principles and keep the old ones as spares. You may want to check the performance of your belt-driven devices (bearings and pulleys for A/C, P/S, water pump) if your belts won't last more than 40k miles. Had a friend's 1968 Cadiallac pulley that warped at the spring 1984 Carlisle auto show, and we were stranded overnight.
 
I changed my original Toyota belts at 101,000 and am now at 189,000 - so I'll change them again this summer. They are not serpentine - they are small, cheap, and there's three of them. Total cost of replacement doing it myself is under $20. with parts from Autozone. I'm almost sure the Toyota belts would be better quality, but these are cheap and last 100k. Besides once you change them, you have spares you can carry with you under the seat in case one breaks. Just don't forget to also carry your wrenches!
 
 - P.

Messages Page 14 of 60

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